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(ModeL R. K. SLAUGHTER.

Window Shade.

No. 237,210. Patented Feb. I, ISSI.

IN VENTOR ATTORNEYS.

WITNESSES wmrsns FljOTO-LITHDGRAXPHER, wAsmn-mn. 0.0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT K. SLAUGHTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

WINDOW-SHADE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 237,210, dated February 1, 1881.

Application filed November 20, 1880. (Model) a specification.

.ing my invention.

My improvements have both artistic and useful objects. Artistically the object is to heighten the effect of the ornamentation used on the shades and to obtain such effect within the room during the day and at the outside at night when the room is illuminated. The useful objects are, first, to obtain the cheerful and light appearance and advantages of semitransparent shades, and, second, to obtain the required transparency without adding materially to the expense of manufacture.

Window -shades have been made both of opaque and semi-transparent or translucent material; but the former is generally preferred and used on account of its utility and cheapness, as transparent shades to look well must be made of fine cambric, while the opaque shade can be made of coarse muslin properly colored. The objections to opaque shades are in their exclusion of light, and in the fact that the dado or other ornamentation is not seen, except at the outside, and not at all at night.

My improved shade combines the two materials; and it consists in an insertiouof semitrausparent or translucent material, which inserted portion is ornamented as desired, whereby l overcome the objections to opaque shades and obtain the advantages of transparent shades with the added advantages of cheapness and artistic effect.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the construction; but the contrasts and effects of the shade when in use cannot be shown.

Figure l is a face view of a shade embody- Fig. 2 is a section lengthwise of the shade.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspoudin g parts.

The portions to a of the curtain will be made of opaque material, such as is used for shades, and of any desired color. The inserted portion b is made of semi-transparent or translucent shade material, preferably fine cambric suitably dressed and colored and ornamented by plain or colored designs to any extent required. The piece b, as shown, is attached by sewing along its edge, suitable border-strips, a, being attached at the same time to give finish to the edges. As shown, the portion 1) is a single piece of material, and is placed near the bottom of the shade, to form what is known as a dado. It may, however, be in one or more pieces, inserted at any place in the shade to form a border, center-piece, or other portion, according to taste or fashion.

The shade provided with the inserted portion, as specified, when hung at a window, allows light to pass through the translucent portion, which relieves the somber appearance of the opaque portion, lightens the room to a considerable degree, and renders the ornameutation visible within the room. At night the translucent portion is fully effectivein cutting off observation from without, while the light renders the ornamentation visible at the outside. The contrasts between the light and dark portions of the shade and the colors are highly pleasing, and have the effect of stained glass. Such elfects can only be obtained by using special material for theiuserted portions, which material is expensive, and, if used for the whole shade, would render them too expensive for ordinary use. The ornamentation, if placed on ordinary material with semi-transparent colors, would present a blurred appearance at the back, and fail both in utility and effect.

I do not claim shades of transparent material, nor shades painted or finished to render them transparent or partially transparent, as a Whole or in any portion.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. Window-shades of opaque material, having semi-transparent or translucent portions made by an inserted piece or pieces, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, in a window-shade, of

opaque and semi-transparent or translucent material, when the opaque material forms the principal portion and the semi-transparent portions are separate pieces attached in place, substantially as set forth.

ROBERT K. SLAUGHTER. Witnesses:

GEO. D. WALKER, O. SEDGWIGK. 

